Car radio problem

Well, you are likely to tell by my posts today what I’m doing…

Fixing things around the house that have been neglected for the summer. The FW hasn’t been too happy with me as the radio in her car hasn’t been working all summer…so today she said…”I’m not cooking until I have a radio in my car!”

Whew…High Maintianance!

Here’s the deal:

’95 Saturn
When the stock am/fm/cass is turned on none of the buttons work or the led clock…it looks dead. If the car is turned on/off enough the radio will find an am station…and sounds pretty good…but if the lights are turned on or the car is turned off again…it looses the station and goes to static.

I picked up another radio from a parts yard…exact same thing.

I know…you’re going to say it sounds like a ground issue. That’s what I thought too.
I found the black – lead and jumpered it to a ground…no differance. I also checked the ground to the ant with a vom 0 resistance.

It still sounds like a ground…but it can’t be with the jumper in there…I’m perplexed.

PS Saturn says this radio doesn’t have the theft lock. If it did the LED would say LOCKED.

Any help is welcome!

Well sounds like a tough issue, maybe it’s just best to rewire the radio all together, if you have the pin out of the stock radio shouldn’t be tough at all. the hardest things are going to be getting a new switched 12 v source, and a new 12 constant source, I’d re ground it close by if it has a power antenea, there may be a little more work to do, but it probably doesn’t.

Atleast the IMHO would be the easiest solution, easier than finding the gremelin in the wires. Wiring in a stereo is a pretty easy thing to do.

Ask if you need or want more help.

It may be an antenea booster issue or antenea issue, I’d ask and see if there is an antenea booster. other than that…. :shrug:

The easiest solution is to take her for a special drive tomorrow. Then pull into a dealership and buy her a brand new car

I spose…

I’ll use the cig lighter power…and start looking for a switch power.

Thanks Nick!

Skippy..it’s too early to be drinking the hard stuff….

past 5 isn’t it

Roll the dash light dimmer switch up or back and forth. Was an oddity on my s15 might be on a saturn too. but not on my vue.

Buy her a battery operated radio at Wally World

COLD SOLDER JOINT ON THE CIRCUT BOARD……………

Brian-Right side of the center pillar of the dash near the floor there’s a fuse panel. Pull the cover off. There is a 5 amp fuse that runs the radio. It’s blown. It happens all the time on those cars. I’d just replace it with a 15 amp fuse and the problem will be resolved-your decision though…it’s not normally recommended to upgrade fuse sizes…In my opinion and experience you’ll be good. If memory serves there’s actually two 5A fuses in that box, you may have to take them out to see which one’s blown. If you need a hand give me a ring.
Audio Video Experts

Jesse 952-406-1834

BINGO! A WINNER!

Thanks Jessy!

There was a 15 amp fuse in there, but I’m thinking when they stole my FW’s radio and clipped the wires, it popped the fuse.

I didn’t even know there was a fuse pannel over there! I checked every dang fuse under the hood…

I’m going to be in the favor of the Favorite Wife in the morning!

Man! IDA is a great place to be!

Glad you got it fixed! Isn’t this site great?

So, what’s she cooking for dinner tonight?

She doesn’t know it’s fix yet…I’ll keep you guys posted.

who are you trying to fool Brian, we all know that you spilt the beans right after you typed that last post. so where did you go, for a joy ride with her working radio??

shane

Maybe I read the post wrong but how does/did the radio work on am with the fuse blown?

how’s a posi-trak in a plymouth work??

No..you read the post right…if the power (key or radio switch with the key on) was turned on and off..the stations would sometimes come in…otherwise there was static. If it was a fuse I would have thought it to be dead.

My only explaination is there is two power sources one for the main reciever of the radio and one for the clock and other front end functions.

Even after replacing the fuse and it’s working..I would bet a quarter that it was a ground.

IDA…and extension of Garage Logic…learning more here by accident than other places by design.

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IDA…and extension of Garage Logic…learning more here by accident than other places by design.

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Great quote…ok if I use it? OK I already am using it????

Sure can Hayward….but I wouldn’t tell anyone you’re quoting me!

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Maybe I read the post wrong but how does/did the radio work on am with the fuse blown?

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AM and FM fuses. Oh, and check the blinker fluid and the muffler belt while you’re at it